NFL Jersey Numbers

Learn which NFL players can wear which jersey numbers.

Rules Changes

NFL players in certain positions now have more jersey numbers to choose from.

An update to the NFL Rulebook allows defensive backs, tight ends, wide receivers, running backs, fullbacks, H-backs and linebackers to choose from a wider range of available numbers, including single digit numbers.

Here’s how players can now suit up after the update:

Position	Numbers Available (2020 season and earlier)	Numbers Available (2023 season and beyond)
Quarterbacks	1–19	0–19
Punters and placekickers	1–19	0–49 and 90–99
Defensive backs	20–49	0–49
Running backs, fullbacks and H-backs	20–49	0–49 and 80–89
Tight ends	40–49 and 80–89	0–49 and 80–89
Wide receivers	10–19 and 80–89	0–49 and 80–89
Offensive linemen	50–79
Defensive linemen	50–79 and 90–99
Linebackers	40–59 and 90–99	0–59 and 90–99

The rule change proposal was submitted by the Kansas City Chiefs to the NFL Competition Committee and approved by owners on April 21, 2021. After practice squads were expanded for the 2020 season, some teams did not have enough jersey numbers available at certain positions.

On March 28, 2023, the Philadelphia Eagles proposal to the NFL Competition Committee was approved by owners to allow greater flexibility to jersey numbers including wearing the number zero.

History of NFL Jersey Number Rules

1973

Jersey numbers first standardized by position group across NFL.

AP/Al Messerschmidt

1979

Defensive linemen allowed to wear 90-99; centers allowed to wear 60-79.

AP/Greg Trott

1984

Linebackers allowed to wear 90-99.

AP/Greg Trott

2004

Wide receivers allowed to wear 10-19.

AP/John Froschauer

2010

Defensive linemen allowed to wear 50-59.

AP/Butch Dill

2015

Linebackers allowed to wear 40-49.

AP/Aaron M. Sprecher

2021

NFL adopts current expanded positional numbering rules.

AP/Ryan Kang

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